Vehicle Control Device Data Update Memory Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices for vehicles lack flexibility in updating data, requiring reserved memory space and not allowing targeted updates, which limits their ability to efficiently improve or correct data, especially in field conditions like garage visits or remote servicing.
Innovation Solution
The control device uses an additional memory area, such as an EEPROM, where data for the application program can be updated flexibly by storing update specifications within the application program itself, allowing for targeted updates without the need for additional buffering space, and utilizing a bootloader to manage these updates while ensuring consistency checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If memory space is reserved for buffering data updates, then data update capability is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data update functionality from a dedicated buffering memory area and integrates it into the existing application program storage area. By removing the need for separate buffering space and utilizing the application program's storage area for both code and update data, the system achieves data update capability without increasing device complexity or requiring additional memory reserves.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage area of the application program is given multiple functions: it stores both the application program code and the data to be updated. This multi-functional use of the same memory area eliminates the need for separate buffering memory, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining data update versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If entire memory sectors are updated, then update process is simple, but precision and flexibility of targeted updates are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the memory area into smaller, manageable units that can be updated individually rather than requiring entire sector updates. This segmentation allows the system to maintain update simplicity while achieving precise targeted updates to specific data locations within the application program storage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The update mechanism is designed to provide local quality by enabling updates to specific, targeted areas within the memory rather than uniform updates across the entire sector. This allows different parts of the memory to have different update characteristics, maintaining simplicity while improving precision for specific data correction needs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If data structures are fixed in memory, then memory layout is stable, but adaptability for retrospective improvements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing the data structures in memory to be modified and reconfigured during operation. The system can dynamically adjust memory layouts and data organization to enable retrospective improvements and adaptations without compromising the overall stability of the memory system, thus achieving both stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes by allowing modification of data structure parameters and memory layout configurations. This facilitates retrospective improvements and adaptability for new requirements while maintaining a stable and manageable memory architecture through controlled parameter adjustments rather than complete reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for a vehicle and a method for a data update for a control device for a vehicle are provided, in which a first memory is provided that has a first area in which a bootloader is provided and that has a second area in which at least one application program is provided. Furthermore, a second memory is provided, in which first data for the at least one application program are provided. Furthermore, an interface is provided that provides second data for an update at least of one part of the first data. In addition, a control circuit is provided that calls up the bootloader for the update of the at least one part of the first data by the second data. The bootloader extracts from the second area of the first memory third data that indicate the third area of the second memory in which the second data for the update are to be written.